SPFL awards: Aberdeen | Inverness | Celtic

CRAIG STEWART

The latest round of Scotsman Weekly Website Awards has been selected after a weekend that saw two Scottish League Cup semi-final ties, three Premiership games and five games start in each of the Championship, League 1 and League 2 although only four finished in the bottom tier.

The game between Peterhead and Annan Athletic at a stormy Balmoor lasted for only 21 minutes before being abandoned.

The weekend brought Cup Final appearances for Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with a small section of the Dons fans scoring an own goal, however there is also positive news heading the way of Celtic, Cowdenbeath, Morton, Dumbarton, Ayr, Forfar, Clyde and Elgin City.

Good week for – Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle

A first Cup Final for the Dons in nearly 14 years was secured in style as St Johnstone were seen off 4-0 in swashbuckling style at Tynecastle. Derek McInnes’ side will meet an Inverness Caledonian Thistle side that are playing their first ever national final since being elected into the ranks of the Scottish Football League 20 years ago.

It has to be said that Caley booked their historic berth in a different way as they scored an injury time equaliser, had two men sent off and missed their penalty in the shoot-out.

Bad week for – The fans who took the gloss of Aberdeen’s semi-final win

Talk about ruining someone’s party. When everyone should be talking about the resurgent reds a small section of the Red Army, perhaps even single figures, ended up putting Aberdeen on the front pages.

Dons fans in the Main Stand at Tynecastle gave Celtic manager Neil Lennon a less than pleasant welcome with claims of spitting and throwing coins being made.

It may have been ‘drunken and not sectarian’ according to Lennon but still a disappointment to the club after selling out three quarters of Tynecastle and having a brilliant afternoon in front of goal.

Team of the week – Inverness Caledonian Thistle

The Tulloch Caledonian side were a goal down and two men down in the final minute of their Scottish League Cup semi-final to Hearts however they someone won through.

Garry Warren was sent off midway through the second half when John Hughes’ side were a goal up, and after two Jamie Hamill goals Josh Meekings was dismissed however substitute Nicky Ross scrambled home an equaliser right at the end.

The Highlanders held on throughout extra time despite their two man disadvantage before winning through on penalties.

Manager of the week – Jimmy Nicholl (Cowdenbeath)

Blue Brazil boss Jimmy Nicholl took his side through an important mental barrier at the weekend when they defeated Raith Rovers 1-0. Under previous Central Park manager Colin Cameron, Cowdenbeath could win at home but not away and up until Saturday under Nicholl they could win away but not win at home.

That run has been broken thanks to Kane Hemming’s goal and 6 points from 6 has moved the Fifers 9 points clear of bottom placed Morton and to within touching distance of a pack of clubs that now have to look over their shoulders.

Premiership and Scottish League Cup Player of the week – Fraser Forster (Celtic)

Not so much for his performance against St Mirren at Parkhead yesterday but Forster deserves recognition for keeping 11 consecutive clean sheets.

The run breaks a club record held by Charlie Shaw in 1913/ 14 and 1921/ 22. So far Forster has kept out: Motherwell (twice), Hibs (twice), Hearts, St Johnstone, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle, St Mirren (twice) and Kilmarnock.

Premiership and Scottish League Cup Goal of the week – Adam Rooney (Aberdeen)

Two goals in two games makes the capture of Adam Rooney good business by Pittodrie boss Derek McInnes. The Dons had scored twice in the first half against St Johnstone however the Perth men were still in the game until Peter Pawlett won the ball 80 yards from their goal.

One touch from Pawlett in St Johnstone’s half and one touch from Rooney sent him free and he drew Stevie Banks from his goal before slipping the ball home to turn defence into a devastating attack.

Championship Player of the week – Derek Gaston (Morton)

Goalkeeper Gaston was restored to shot-stopping duty for the bottom of the table Championship side after a two and a half month absence and he took the opportunity to shine.

With the game goalless the former Albion Rovers shot-stopper saved a penalty from Rory Loy and then made a better stop from the rebound. That allowed Dougie Imrie to give his side the lead shortly afterwards.

Gaston was eventually only beaten by a second penalty for Falkirk taken by a different player, however he did enough to earn Kenny Shiels’ side a point.

Championship Goal of the week – Jordon Kirkpatrick (Dumbarton)

It is always good to score against a former club and it is probably even better to score a right fine goal against a former club.

Jordan Kirkpatrick did that when he volleyed home a Scott Linton cross in well controlled fashion to make the score 1-1 at New Douglas Park against Hamilton with the game eventually ending 3-3.

League 1 Player of the week – Michael Moffat (Ayr United)

Moffat’s value to Ayr United and their push for promotion from League 1 was in evidence again on Saturday as he scored the first and third goals in their 3-2 success at Arbroath.

Moffat has now bagged 20 goals this season and the Honest Men will be hoping for some leniency from the SFA when their appeal against his 6 game ban for breaching betting regulations is heard.

League 1 Goal of the week – Omar Kader (Forfar Athletic)

Kader opened the scoring against the Diamonds at Station Park with a memorable strike. A corner was cleared out to midfielder Kader 25 yards from goal and he returned it, with interest, straight into the Airdrie goal.

League 2 Player of the week – Steven Ferguson (Clyde)

Clyde were trailing 3-1 at home to Berwick when teenage winger Ferguson grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Ferguson started driving at the visiting Borderers defence and curled home a second goal for the Bully Wee.

Jim Duffy’s men then grabbed a late equaliser with Ferguson’s role in getting them off the floor prominent.

League 2 Goal of the week – Jamie Duff (Elgin City)

Duff showed a delicate touch when he controlled a headed knock-down from a free kick before lofting the ball over his shoulder and into the far corner of the Albion Rovers goal.

The subtlety of his goal was unexpected from the centre half however it did grab his side a point.

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